01 November 2023

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John Allen Nordness

John Allen Nordness


1939-2023 John Allen Nordness, 84, of Rib Lake, died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023 at Marshfield Medical Center in Weston. A graveside service will be held in the spring at Lakeview Cemetery, Rib Lake. John was born Feb. 15, 1939 in Stoughton to Carl and Vera (Townsend) Nordness. He grew up in Stoughton where he also attended school. From 1956–1959, John served in the U.S. Army National Guard. He married his first wife, Janet and together had three children, Vern Nordness, Wendy Helgestad and Bradley Nordness. In 1968, he married his wife, Barbara (nee Ward). John drove semi truck most of his life as a team with Barbara. They retired in 2016 and settled in their Rib Lake home. John started dialysis in 2017 and was going three days a week to Kidney Care of Medford. In his younger years, John drove stock cars in Jefferson and Slinger. He also enjoyed going to car shows, fishing and listening to country music. He will be dearly missed. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara Nordness of Rib Lake; his three children, Vern, Wendy and Bradley; two stepdaughters, Kelly (Jon) DiSanto and Michelle (Rick) Holda; a stepson-in-law, Sam Riggs; several grandchildren, Matt DiSanto, Christina DiSanto, Amanda Wasscher, Ashley Riggs, Rachel Riggs, and Aszhia Kennedy. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Jean (Bob) Miller; stepdaughter, Angela Riggs; and a grandson, Karl Reeb. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online. Paid Obituary 144246

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Bruce Thielke

Bruce Thielke


1939-2023 Bruce Thielke (aka Cheeseburger or Boss Cat), age 84, of Withee, passed away of natural causes on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, with his family by his side. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at P-Town Saloon and Grill, W11204 County Road M, Medford, WI (Perkinstown). Inurnment will be held later. Bruce Donovan Thielke was born on Oct. 24, 1939 in Medford, to Donovan “Bud” and Elvera “Toddy” (Talbot) Thielke. He was raised in Medford and joined the military in 1956, serving his country until 1962. He married Thressa L. Schwoerer on July 9, 1960 in Omro. They were married for 63 years at the time of his death. He loved hunting, UTVing, watching Westerns and old TV shows, collecting hats and hat pins, watching “Da Bears” football games while giving his wife a hard time about her “Packers.” For the last several years of his life his true passion was going to visit his friends at “P-Town” (P-Town Saloon and Grill). He would have a cheeseburger with fried onions, fries, and Diet Pepsi every time. He is survived by his wife, Thressa; daughter, Barbara (Dennis) Lato of Withee; son, Dan (Diane) Thielke of New Richmond; son, Bill (Michele) Thielke of Birchwood; son, Doug (Bonnie) Thielke of Curtiss; and the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Kathryn “Kathi” Thielke; and nephew, James “Jimmy” Mildbrand. Paid Obituary 144291

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Elaine Anabel Fritsche

Elaine Anabel Fritsche


1924-2023 Elaine Anabel Fritsche, age 99, passed away peacefully at her home in Dorchester on Oct. 19, 2023. Funeral services for Elaine took place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Zion Lutheran Church, with Pastor Richard Russow Officiating. Burial followed at Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation was at Zion Lutheran Church on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. She was born on May 26, 1924 to Herman and Helen (Tindula) Niemuth at their home in the town of Deer Creek. She attended Victory School in the town of Deer Creek. She married Arthur Fritsche on Aug. 4, 1945 at Zion Lutheran Church in Stetsonville, where she has been a lifelong member and was a founding member of the Zion Lutheran Church Ladies Aid. Elaine grew up during The Depression and enjoyed discussing the history that went along with it. In retirement, she enjoyed spending winters in Texas with Art, spending time with her family, watching her Milwaukee Brewers, camping and fishing, bird watching, playing cards with friends, and crocheting beautiful afghans for family. Elaine is survived by daughters-in-law, Shirley Fritsche, Carolyn Wood and Susan Fritsche; grandchildren, Scott (Michelle) Fritsche, Karla (David) Kerchefski, Jason (Kristin) Fritsche, Murray (Sofia Vela-Hayes) Hayes, Nora Gallagher (Ulrich Boser), Makho Mashoba, Luke (Alyssa) Fritsche, Josh (Ashley) Fritsche; 20 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her brother, Marvin Niemuth; sister, Vivian (Henry) Hentges; sisters-inlaw, Ellen Niemuth and Beverly Hoffman; and many nieces and nephews. Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; and sons, Alan, Steven and Thomas. She was also preceded in death by siblings and in-laws, Rachel (Henry) Weiler, Marcella (Charles) Vlach, Pearl (Robert) Wieneke, Mabel (Emery) Habermeyer, Beatrice (Arthur) Ludwig, Ruth (Ernest) Arndt, Beverly Niemuth, Glenn Niemuth, Vernon (Janet) Niemuth, Melvin Niemuth (in infancy), Arlyn (Del) Decker, Gilbert (Loretta) Fritsche, Lenore (Herbert) Fritsche, Charles Hoffman Sr.; and daughter-in-law, Sandy Fritsche. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online. Paid Obituary 144316

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Rebecca Ruth Jacobsen

Rebecca Ruth Jacobsen


1955-2023 Rebecca Ruth Jacobsen, 68, of Medford died Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 at her home. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Medford with Rev. David Spaude officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Evergreen II Cemetery, Medford. Visitation was from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31, at Hemer-Pickerign Funeral Home, Medford and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church. In honor of Rebecca’s love for animals, memorials are appreciated and may go to the Taylor County Humane Association. Rebecca was born April 4, 1955 in Medford to Donald and Angela (Hjelte) Hutchinson. She graduated from Medford High School, class of 1973. Following high school, she went to Wisconsin Dells where she worked as a lifeguard; then moved to Necedah where she worked at Necedah Gasket Company. On Aug. 10, 1982, she married Paul N. Jacobsen. They resided in Medford where Rebecca worked at Nestle for 48 years, retiring due to health issues stemming from COVID. Rebecca was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Medford. She enjoyed bird watching, nature, gardening, and studying world war history. She will be remembered being a great advocate for finding homes for homeless cats. She loved all animals but had a special place in her heart for cats, and over the years, she housed, fed and cared for over 50 of them. She will be sadly missed by her two children, Deidre (Jim Oliver) Light of Medford, Mark Jacobsen of Winona, Minn.; brother-in-law, Stephen Bovee of Mich., Audrey Hutchinson of Minn.; grandchildren, Kelly (Deanna) Mason of Abbotsford, Sierra (Mason) Henrichs of Medford, Caleb, Rachel, Daniel and Hannah Jacobsen, all of Winona, Minn.; stepdaughter, Tiffany Jacobsen; and a cousin, Jane Marie Tyk of Old Forge, Pa. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul on Aug. 3, 2009; siblings, David Hutchinson, Camille Bovee, and Jonathan Hutchinson. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online. Paid Obituary 144318
11 October 2023

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Gladys L. Matyka

Gladys L. Matyka


1930-2023 Gladys L. Matyka, 93, of Rib Lake died Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at Rib Lake Health Services surrounded by her family and while under the care of Hope Hospice. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Rib Lake with Fr. Patrick McConnell officiating. Burial will follow at Historic St. Ann’s Cemetery in the town of Greenwood. Visitation will be on Wednesday at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Gladys, daughter of Benedick and Tekla (Niemiec) Gacek, was born Aug. 18, 1930 in Rib Lake, where she grew up and graduated from Rib Lake High School. On April 14, 1951 she married Frank Matyka at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Rib Lake. They resided in the town of Greenwood where Gladys worked as a cook at Rib River School and later as a cook and server at the Little Bohemia. She also worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Rib Lake Nursing Home. She will always be remembered for her wonderful cooking and baking, as well as her service to others. Throughout her life, Gladys dedicated countless hours to serving the church and the community of Rib Lake. She was both an active volunteer at church events, gatherings, and services as well as a committed member of the Christian Mothers organization. In the community, Gladys participated in the Volunteer Reader Program with Rib Lake School District for many years, reading to young children, helping them learn to read on their own, and inspiring them to enjoy reading just as she did. Gladys also spent time helping at the nursing home caring for residents when she no longer worked there. Because of her dedication to service, Gladys was awarded for her volunteer work in Taylor County. She is survived by eight children, Robert (Joyce), Diane (David) Acker, Alan, Gail (Jerry) Thieme, Peggy (Tony) Butera, Kenneth (Dawn), David, Janine (Jeff) Probst; sister-in-law, Bernice Matyka; 19 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Frank on April 26, 2009; siblings, Helen Magnus, Sophia Kroll, Emily Niggemann, Marie Szmania, Eleanor Posanski, Evelyn Holly, John, Stanley and Frank Gacek; a daughter, Mary in infancy; grandson, Christopher Matyka; great-grandchildren, Mackensie and Lindsay Matyka. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online. Paid Obituary 143497

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Dean A. Raasch

Dean A. Raasch


1969-2023 Dean Raasch, age 54, of Granton, died Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, at the Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield. A memorial service for Dean was held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor Terry Marg officiated. Interment will be in the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery in Stetsonville, at a later date. Visitation was from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Gesche Funeral Home. Dean Allan Raasch was born on Feb. 3, 1969, in Medford, the son of William and Joyce (Messmann) Raasch. He attended schools in Medford and Colby, and then worked at Weather Shield, Leeson and, most recently, MEC in Neillsville. On July 22, 2017, he was united in marriage to Tina Schmitt at Mead Lake. They have resided in Granton for the past 18 years. Dean was a member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stetsonville. He was an avid hunter, especially bow hunting and fisherman. He would often walk the woods just to scout out the wildlife. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and sitting on his deck at their cabin listening to Kenny Rogers music. He is survived by his wife, Tina; children, Tara Weiler of Medford, Cody Raasch of Medford, Nicole Raasch of Granton, Samantha Schultz of Chili, Matthew (Delilah) Schnabel of Granton, and Alexander Schnabel of Chili; seven siblings, Ronald (Kristen) Raasch of Medford, Tammy (Jeff) Lange of Medford, Michelle Raasch of Dorchester, Brian (Tina) Raasch of Colby, Kari (Gary) Lyon of Abbotsford, Dana (Kevin) Fechhelm of Abbotsford, and Ann Hoffman of Osseo. He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant sister, Kathy. Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh. com. The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Dean’s family with funeral arrangements. Paid Obituary 143398